The DoubleTree Hotel by Hilton in Cairns, Queensland has been evacuated after a helicopter crashed into the roof at 1:50am local time.
The crash of the R44 helicopter resulted in a fire on top of the hotel and the ground. The pilot died in the crash. At the time of writing the pilot still hasn’t been publicly identified.
Nautilus Aviation, the owner of the helicopter said that the flight was “unauthorised.”
As a result of the crash the Queensland Police Service (QPS) triggered the Public Safety Preservation Act, with an exclusion zone set up encompassing the city’s Esplanade and Minnie, Aplin and Grafton streets.
Of the 300-400 hotel guests evacuated, 2 were taken to Cairns hospital. They were a man in his 80s and a woman in her 70s. They have since been discharged.
One of the rotor blades landed on the Esplanade and another landed at the bottom of the hotel pool.
In a statement nautilus Aviation said. “Nautilus Aviation are working closely with Queensland Police, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau and other authorities as they investigate the unauthorised use of one of our helicopters in the early hours of this morning. As we continue to fully support the ongoing investigation, we will not be making further comments at this time.”
Hilton Cairns and DoubleTree by Hilton Cairns cluster general manager Scott Wilson said, “We can confirm that all guests and team members have been safely evacuated from the premises, and we are actively arranging alternative accommodations for these guests for this evening – 12th August.”
It is unknown whether the pilot had a licence and if the crash was accidental or deliberate. The area of the crash has a permanent low flying exclusion zone. The emergency helicopter is exempt from the exclusion zone.
QPS says there is no ongoing threat to the public, while Cairns Airport said there was no breach of security. Both QPS and the Australian Transport Safety Board are investigating the incident. A report is being prepared for the coroner.
